Hunger advocates want New York's minimum wage increased

ALBANY, N.Y. — Advocates for the poor are calling on New York state to raise the minimum wage and unemployment benefits. The Hunger Action Network wants the state minimum wage increased from $7.15 to $10 an hour.

Under state law, the Commissioner of Labor has the power to raise the minimum wage without legislative approval if the commissioner concludes it’s too low to support workers.

State law also requires the commission to review the minimum wage when at least 50 low-income workers submit a petition. The Hunger Action says it will submit the petition if the commissioner doesn’t act.

The organization also says Friday that the state should provide jobs for the unemployed and underemployed if the private sector fails to put people back to work.